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Spieth favored to win John Deere Classic again
By: Freddy Wander - StatFox
Published: 7/10/2014  at  1:26:00 AM
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John Deere Classic

Tees Off: Thursday, July 10
TPC Deere Run – Silvis, IL

Odds to Win Tournament

(For the latest Odds, connect to Sportsbook.com)

GolferOdds
Jordan Spieth17-to-2
Steve Stricker21-to-2
Zach Johnson23-to-2
Ryan Moore20-to-1
Harris English22-to-1
Chris Kirk29-to-1
John Senden30-to-1
Kevin Na30-to-1
Brendon de Jonge35-to-1
Chris Stroud35-to-1
Cameron Tringale40-to-1
Kevin Streelman45-to-1
David Hearn50-to-1
Ben Martin50-to-1
Robert Garrigus50-to-1
Billy Hurley III50-to-1
Daniel Summerhays50-to-1
Kevin Chappell50-to-1
Charles Howell III55-to-1
Michael Thompson65-to-1
Jason Bohn70-to-1
Luke Guthrie75-to-1
Martin Flores75-to-1
Bud Cauley75-to-1
7 Golfers80-to-1
3 Golfers90-to-1
10 Golfers100-to-1
15 Golfers120-to-1
4 Golfers130-to-1
8 Golfers160-to-1
7 Golfers210-to-1
24 Golfers250-to-1

In the week before the third major of the year, the PGA Tour takes their talents to Illinois for the John Deere Classic, a tournament established in 1971 and played at TPC Deere Run since 2000. This tourney has seen many scoring chances, as the winners at this course have scored at least 16-under par with Steve Stricker posting a tournament record 26-under back in 2010; his second of three consecutive wins at this event. The past two seasons have seen a playoff at the John Deere Classic with Zach Johnson defeating Troy Matteson in 2012 followed by Jordan Spieth coming away with a his first career victory as he took down both Johnson and David Hearn in 2013. Spieth will be the only top-10 player from the World Golf Rankings in the field as he attempts to defend his title while just two others, Johnson and Stricker, will play from the top-25. The three former champions will have a tough time fending off newcomers at the par-71, 7,268-yard course this weekend, so let’s look at a few players -- including this top-25 trio -- who have the best chance to get a win come Sunday.

Golfers to Watch

Jordan Spieth (17/2): Spieth is the first of three players who have absolutely dominated this tournament over the past five years as he came away with a victory here last year after a three-player playoff and a score of 19-under par. He has had a tough time getting his second PGA Tour victory though, but already has two runner-ups this year, including one against the toughest field on tour at The Masters. His eighth-best scoring average (69.74) and ability to scramble from the rough (65%, 4th on tour) puts him as the favorite to earn a win this weekend.

Steve Stricker (21/2): If you look at Stricker’s track record at this tournament, you may think you were looking at Tiger Woods, as he has three victories (2009, 2010, 2011) and followed that with two top-10 finishes in 2012 and 2013. The 47-year-old has played in just eight tournaments this season, but was looking good last week at the Greenbrier with three scores of 68 or better before falling apart on Sunday. His confidence and this course could vault him up the leaderboard and put him in contention.

Zach Johnson (23/2): He has owned this course, finishing in the top-3 in four of the past five years. Johnson also had an amazing start to the year, which included a victory at the Tournament of Champions, but he should be primed to jump back into the winners' circle for the 12th time in his career against a weak field. His accurate driving (70.8%, 6th on tour) combined with a solid ability to hit greens in regulation (67.5%, 30th on tour) should give him a strong chance to get a leg up on his opposition throughout the weekend.

Billy Hurley III (50/1): He has the momentum coming into this week with a top-8 finish in each of the past two tournaments. Hurley's driving accuracy has been over 73% in each of his past two starts, and he ranks 7th overall (71%) in the category on the year. He has never played at this event, but should have a solid chance to ride his hot play into this week and compete for his first career PGA Tour win.

Michael Thompson (65/1): He has two 12th-place finishes at the John Deere Classic over the past three years and he has placed among the top-25 seven times over 19 events this season. Thompson showed he can really score low, as he shot under a 66 twice this past weekend at the Greenbrier where he finished 11th. The 29-year-old should make a run at a victory this weekend and get a fighting chance to capture his second career win on the tour.


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